Chronic pain disrupts ability to work by interfering with social function: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Pain research
• Social science
• Occupational health

Background:

• Millions of US adults suffer from chronic pain, impacting various life domains.
• Previous research focused on physical, psychological, and employment effects, neglecting social functioning.
• The study addresses the gap in understanding chronic pain's impact on social function and employment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between pain interference with work ability and employment status in working-age adults with chronic pain.
• To examine cognitive, physical, psychological, and social functioning as mediators of this association.
• To highlight the role of social functioning in the relationship between chronic pain and employment.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 966 respondents via the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) website.
• Analysis of the association between pain interference with work ability and employment status.
• Examination of four functioning types (cognitive, physical, psychological, social) as mediators.

Main Results:

• Pain interference with work ability was inversely associated with employment status.
• Pain interference with work ability was a stronger predictor of employment than pain intensity.
• Social functioning partially or fully mediated the effects of other functioning types and pain intensity on work ability.

Conclusions:

• Social function is a significant, often overlooked, factor in chronic pain's impact on employment.
• An integrated biopsychosocial approach is essential for managing chronic pain and its effect on work ability.
• Interventions targeting social function may improve employment outcomes for adults with chronic pain.